Senators almost literally falling over each other to answer questions and get in complementary points as news conference comes to a close - seems to be real enthusiasm to move this proposal forward and spread its ideas, at least among this group.

WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John Kerry on Tuesday won the support of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday to replace Hillary Clinton as President Barack Obama's new secretary of state.

The full Senate is expected to confirm Kerry later on Tuesday.

The five-term senator and 2004 failed presidential candidate has broad support from fellow Democrats as well as Republicans in the Senate.

WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Last week's parliamentary elections in Israel open new avenues for Middle East Peace and the United States will pursue potential opportunities, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.

"I actually think that this election opens doors, not nails them shut," she told an assembly in Washington that was broadcast worldwide.

"I know that President Obama (and) my successor, soon-to-be Secretary of State John Kerry, will pursue this, will look for every possible opening," said Clinton.

President Barack Obama appealed for a "common-sense" and comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigrations laws on Tuesday to help illegal immigrants "get on the right side of the law."In a speech in Las Vegas, Obama said an overhaul would strengthen the U.S. economy. He said some issues will be difficult to negotiate with Congress, but "now's the time" for change.

Obama says if Congress doesn't act on immigration, he will push his own plan

LAS VEGAS - President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that if Congress is unable to act in a timely fashion on changing U.S. immigration laws, he will propose legislation of his own and demand lawmakers vote on it.

Pledging swift action, Obama said in a speech that Washington should have the resolve to "finally put this issue behind us."

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry received enough Senate votes on Tuesday to be confirmed as President Barack Obama's new secretary of state, succeeding Hillary Clinton.

The five-term senator and 2004 unsuccessful presidential candidate had broad support from fellow Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. As voting continued, he had received well over 60 votes in favor of his confirmation, and just two against it.

Senate to begin hearings on gun control after school massacre By Thomas FerraroWASHINGTON - Six weeks after the massacre of 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut school ignited new calls to curb U.S. gun violence, the issue reaches Congress on Wednesday amid questions about whether lawmakers can agree on significant legislation.(Reuters preview of the hearing here)

Members of the audience wait outside a hearing room before a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary committee about guns and violence on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 30, 2013. The hearing comes six weeks after the massacre of 26 people at a Connecticut school ignited new calls to fight gun-related violence. REUTERS/Larry Downing

WASHINGTON A Russian propaganda arm oversaw a criminal and espionage conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign to support Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton, said an indictment released on Friday that revealed more details than previously known about Moscow's purported effort to interfere. | Video

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